grants and scholarshiPS

SWEAT EQUITY PROGRAM

Application Guidelines

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS is SEPTEMBER 7, 2026 8 PM EST

Email: scholarships@lastbisonstanding.com

Sweat Equity provides approved students with an opportunity to help generate financial support toward their own educational expenses through our apparel fundraising operations.

You do not need to be a graphic designer, marketing expert, photographer, or apparel professional to apply. We are looking for Bison who have financial need, ideas, and—most importantly—the willingness to participate in the complete process.

1. PERSONAL STATEMENT

Tell us who the Herd is potentially supporting.

Introduce yourself beyond your financial need. Tell us about your Howard journey, your goals, your circumstances, and anything else you believe our committee should know when considering an investment in you.

We are not looking for a perfectly written essay. We want to understand who you are.

2. FINANCIAL NEED

Tell us exactly what you need.

Applicants must provide a specific dollar amount they are seeking through the program.

Do not simply write that you need “as much as possible.”

Example: I am seeking $3,750 in financial assistance.

You should also briefly explain what the funding will be used for and provide documentation supporting the amount when requested.

3. AVAILABILITY + COMMITMENT

Sweat Equity requires sweat.

Applicants must demonstrate that they have the time and availability to participate in the complete process.

Depending on the project, responsibilities may include:

Developing and refining the apparel concept

Participating in the approval process

Assisting with model calls and photoshoots

Working with our team to prepare products for the website

Promoting and selling the collection

Packing orders

Assisting with getting completed orders to shipping

Before applying, consider your academic schedule, employment, extracurricular activities, and other responsibilities.

Receiving assistance through this program requires active participation.

4. YOUR PROPOSAL

What do you think Bison would actually buy?

Submit three apparel concepts and/or designs that could reasonably be produced through screen printing or embroidery.

You are NOT expected to be a graphic designer.

Your submission can include sketches, drawings, reference photos, mood boards, written descriptions, mockups, or any combination that clearly communicates your idea.

We are looking for concepts with the potential to generate revenue across multiple generations of Bison—students, alumni, parents, families, and supporters.

Think beyond what you would personally wear.

Think about what the Herd would buy.

A NOTE TO CREATORS

We understand that submitting an original idea can create concerns about intellectual property and whether a concept could be used without the creator receiving credit or being selected for the program.

Submitting a concept does not automatically transfer ownership of your original intellectual property to us.

Application submissions are collected for the purpose of evaluating applicants and determining whether a concept may be viable for development through the Sweat Equity Program. We will not intentionally reproduce or commercially sell an applicant’s original artwork solely because it was submitted as part of an application.

Applicants should also understand that apparel concepts can overlap. General ideas, phrases, themes, colors, garment types, Howard-related concepts, and design styles may already exist or may be independently developed by our organization, other applicants, designers, vendors, or third parties.

If an applicant is selected and we decide to move forward with their original artwork or concept, ownership, permission to use the work, modifications, credit, and any applicable terms will be addressed separately before commercial production.

The application is an opportunity to show us what you can bring to the table—not a transfer of your creative rights.